Emily and Linda’s Travel Blog

Today we had a visit from Max's friend Barbara Agatstein who was able to report on how retirement is going and offer some good tips to those of us who have yet to reach that happy juncture.  Barbara is a South Fork resident now and had a number of thoughts about locations for lunch.  Unfortunately, as one restauranteur put it, "Everyone's busy trying to line up staff and get the place ready for opening next week". Max is unfortunately experiencing our typical vacation karma which requires that all events and locations of interest be closed just before we arrive or open just after our departure.  So after wandering from one establishment to another - several noted as open on Yelp (Yelpers beware) - we finally found ourselves back at Bliss which offers a reliably tasty, if not elegant lunch.  Along the way, we noted some local "art" (see photos). The rest of the day was spent lounging, reading, and napping to further our goal to de-stress.  Cocktail hour has now begun.  Will check in again tomorrow. 

Tuesday was really gray,rainy,cold. Our original plan was to visit the Parrish Art Museum, but it turns out that all museums, artistic, historical, or otherwise were closed. So we were forced to hone our homebody skills (already an area of excellence for the three of us). Marg and Chris were still here for the morning so we played a rousing game of Tripoley (a game complicated enough that each player was issued her own copy of the rules). We ran out of poker chips so had to substitute pasta (concerns for its viability as food later in the day were later determined to be unfounded). 

Today the whole gang went off to Gurneys Seawater Spa. We didn't exactly fit their target demographic, but we had a great time and the staff was lovely. Everyone had a massage and explored the Roman pool, sauna, steam room, saltwater swimming pool, exercise room, and various lounging spots. Took a break mid-day to have lunch at Tillies on the premises while watching the waves roll in. My beet salad was excellent (photo). After all that soaking, massaging, swimming and stretching, we headed home to rest up. Dinner was leftovers from Harvest the night before (and there's still some left!) We finished off the evening with an old fashioned game night. Attached are two photos of women of a certain age trying to collectively learn a new cards game (Apples to Apples) and Bananagram. Not always a smooth process, but we had fun. 

Today we met up with Chris and Margaret who came down to meet us in Montauk. It was a stunning day so we took a ride out to the Montauk Lighthouse. Marg and I explored the museum and took n the views from the bluff while Chris, Max, and Linda hiked around the Point. Then back to the Manor for a dip in the pool (the Greenport gals) and lounging (the City girls). Had a delcious (but surprisingly un-photogenic) dinner at Harvest (thanks for the tip, Nanette). We don't usually watch tv on vacation, but had to make an exception for Good Wife. Tomorrow the serious decompression begins with a spa day at Gurney's Seawater Spa.

Spring Break is very late this year so we are especially grateful to get some time off. We are keeping it simple - drove out this morning with our friend Max. Made a stop at a genuine LI Greek diner, complete with glitzy deco exterior and mirrored inside. Good eats and then a lovely ride through Hither Hills State Park to Montauk. We lucked out on our apartment at the Montauk Manor. We have a patio and a view of the ocean.   The apartment is a little like visiting grandma, but comfy and spacious. Looks like a ke a good week headed our way. 

We're up in the Catskills at our brothers-in-law's home for Christmas. Crazy warm here even in the mountains. Flirting with 70 deg. yesterday. Lindaand I made our usual rounds in the town of Woodstock. Visited the real bookstore, made our annual pilgrimage to the "sensible shoes" store and the hardware store that still feels a bit like an old fashioned general store. Lunch at Joshuah's where the middle eastern  based menu seems to get better every time. Then home for lasagna and gifts. Today my project is the Christmas turkey. Meanwhile hanging with the fam and enjoying the sunny scene outside the window.

Friday I heard the tell tale bell of the knife-grinder's truck. In Brooklyn we still have two competing guys who drive around in their trucks (known in the neighborhood as "the red one" and "the green one").  The only remainder I can think of from the old days when many more independent folks brought their wares or skills to you in the days before Amazon.  I'm old enough to remember milk delivery to the milk box, a bookmobile from the library(magical for a 4 year old), and the Fuller Brush Man.  There was also a piano tuner who went door-to-door on a regular circuit. The ice man of my mother's memory was long gone, replaced by the refrigerator by the time I was born in the Bronx. Nowadays the only holdouts are the ice cream truck and the knife grinder. It made me happy to bring my whole block of knives out to the curb and have them sharpened by Del Re's truck. He told me he was the third generation, but he didn't think it would continue too much longer. 

Our friend Jo Schuch is visiting from California this week. Today she and I wandered around the East Village in a combination eating tour and genealogic exploration. We visited the block where her grandmother lived and saw the church where her grandparents were married. Two blocks away we saw the building where my great grandmother (Schindler) lived as a girl. In the eating category, we sampled frozen custard at the Big Gay Ice Cream store, baked goods at Moishe's Bake Shop, corned beef and egg creams at Katz's Deli and perused the wares at Russ and Daughters (by then all we could do was look).   There were some other curiosities and sights along the way including some lovely community gardens. 

There are a number of antique stores "To the Trade Only" in the area just south of Union Square. Who buys this horrible Roccoco stuff is ever a mystery to me, but ths window caught my eye as I walked past this afternoon. 

Smooth trip to JFK and then the fun began. Fought our way home thru traffic on VanWyck, GCP, LIE, BQE, and even Tillary (where the Afropunk Music Festival was still going on at 11:30 pm). Finally home, feet up, sipping relaxation-promoting beverages.  Good trip altogether.